Toy.



N0. 7I0,090. Patented Sept/30, I902.

n. .1. WILSON. TOY.

(Application filed Au 7, 1902.

(lo Model.)

m: Nonms PETERS 00.. wuomumu, wuumamu, n. c.

PATENT OFFICE.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR DAVID J. WILSON, OF WASHINGTON,

TO HERRELL ESPEY MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF WASHINGTON,

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

TOY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 710,090, dated September 30, 1902.

Application filed August 7, 1902.

' To all whom/it may concern.-

Be it known that I, DAVID .I.WILSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, District of Columbia, have invented certain newand useful Improvementsin Toys; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in toys, and has particular relation to what are known as return-balls.

The object of my invention is to provide a toy which can be readily used and manipulated by children, which is not only amusing, but tends to sharpen the eyesight, and which is inexpensive.

To these and other ends my invention consists in a toy comprising an inflated object, a striker, and a connection between the object and striker.

It further consists in the construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved toy, show ing the striker in position on the finger. Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view showing the manner of connecting the elastic connection to an inflatable object. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the striker without a special tip, this being the preferred form.

The common form of return-ball consists of a wooden ball, an elastic cord attached thereto, and preferablya ring which passes over the finger, the object being to throw the ball (using the entire hand) and permitting the cord to return the ball to the hand of the user. The use of awooden ball, while increasing the length of forward movement due toits weight, does not permit of a continuous play being made, excepting by striking the palm of the hand, making the toy one liable of injuring not only the palm but the fingers of the hand, especially when used by small children. In cases where a solid-rubber ball is used the same objections are present, with the additional one of a rapid rebound when striking the object at which it is thrown. In neither Serial No. 118,835. (No model.)

case can rapid play be made in an upward direction.

The present invention,while of this general type, differs therefrom in several important features, with the result that the toy may be put to a new use, in that it forms a miniature punching-bag, the striker being carried, preferably, by the finger, the direction of movement being vertical, and thereby training the eye of the user. This will be more readily understood by referring to the following description.

A designates the striker, consisting of'a block a, preferably of wood, having a fingersocket at one end and having its opposite end provided with a striking-surface. The latter may consist in simply rounding the end of the block, as at a making it semispherical, or substantially so, or, if desired, a tip a may be inserted in an opening formed in the striking end. The tip may be of any suitable substance, such as rubber, and may be simply secured on the surface, as by gluing.

B designates the inflated-object, such as a ball. This may be either permanently inflated or it may be one which is inflated at the time of the securing of the connection between the object and striker, as hereinafter described and as shown in detail in Fig. 2. The use of an inflated object forms an essential feature of the invention, thereby providing an object light in weight and capable of considerable size relative to the striking-surface. This permits the ball or object being hit with a light touch and prevents a rapid return, the user thereby being able to change the position of his striking-surface with ease. Furthermore, it prevents damage to objects which are struck by the ball.

The object B and striker A are connected by a light-weight elastic cord C. One end of the cord is attached to the block in suitable manner, the opposite end being attached to the object in any suitable manner, the form shown in Fig. 1 consisting in using a cap through which the cord extends and gluing or otherwise securing the cap to the surface of the object, in this case the ball being a permanently-inflated one. Ipreferably,how-

ever, use a ball or other object inflated with air at the time of securing the cord to it, as in this case the ball may be made of light stock, thereby not only making it still lighter in weight but decreasing the cost. When securing the cord in position, as shown in Fig. 2, a knot is tied in the end of the cord and then passed inside of the ball or object through the inflating-teat. The usual quill is then placed in position, the ball inflated, a drop of glue being placed on the knot, the teat tied with a suitable string, and the quill withdrawn. This insures a secure connection between the cord and ball.

In use the striker is placed on the tip of one of the fingers, although this is not necessary, as it may be grasped between thumb and finger and the ball or object tossed upwardly. On its return the user attempts to again raise it by striking its under surface with the striker. By using light strokes the movement of the ball is decreased, while a heavier stroke carries the ball higher and against the tension of the cord 0. The object can therefore be kept in motion with but slight exertion for a considerable length of time and without fatigue, thereby permitting its use by small children.

It will be obvious that with a rapid motion, such as by the use of li ht taps, the eye of the user will be trained to follow movements rapidly, in addition to which the constant striking of the object exercises and strengthens the fingers. Furthermore, the striker being located on the end of the finger, the surface extending over the tip, the object is prevented from contacting with the finger, and thereby prevent liability of the object being punctured or otherwise injured by the finger or finger-nail. In' addition, the striker being located on the end of the finger and the motion used in striking the object being in a direction corresponding with the extended finger-tip, there is no strain placed on the finger itself, such as would occur were the striking done with the finger folded, nor is there any necessity of the employment of another finger or thumb in manipulating the striker.

While I have shown the object as in the form of a ball, it will be understood that other shapes may be employed, as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is- 1. A toy comprising an inflated object, a fi nger-striker, said striker preventing contact of the finger and object, and an elastic connection between the object and striker.

2. A toy comprising an inflated object, a finger-striker having a striking-surface, said striker preventing contact of the finger and object, and a permanent connection between the object and striker.

3. A toy comprising an inflated object, a striker having a finger-socket and a strikingsurface, said striker preventing contact of the finger and object, and a permanent connection between the object and striker.

4. A toy comprising an inflated object, a striker consisting of a block having one end semispherical in form and its opposite end provided with a fin ger-socket, said striker preventing contact of the finger and object, and a permanent connection between the object and striker.

'5. A toy comprising an inflated object, a striker having at one end a finger-socket and its other end provided with a semispherical surface, the latter end carrying a projecting striking-surface, and a permanent elastic cord connecting the striker and object.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

DAVID J. WILSON.

Witnesses:

PHILIP F. LARNER, WM. H. SoMERvELL. 

